A week has passed since the Anaconda adventure, and the Tortuga is heading north. And everyone was relaxing in the HQ room.
"What to do next?" Chris wondered.
And then a beep was heard. "Attention, this is your captain. We are now flying over Peru."
The Tortuga is now flying over a section of Amazon rainforest near Peru. But they're unaware that below them somewhere, is a snake so elusive, and so rare, that very few are seen in the wild.
And it's a legendary serpent.
Martin was peacefully reading a Peruvian book, and soon came across a section that describes an old legend on what appears on a snake.
"Hey guys, look at this." Martin said.
And then Chris, Aviva and Koki went over to Martin and he placed the book on the counter.
"Look at this." Martin points to a picture of some old Peruvian picture and with a snake. "It's says that the snake is so feared, that many people believe it has supernatural powers."
"Whoa." Koki said, amazed.
"What kind of snake could it be?" Chris wondered.
"Judging by the picture, I think it's a type of Pit Viper." Martin said, looking at the head.
"Okay, South America has Fer-De-Lances, Eyelash Vipers and several others." Chris said thinking.
"Doesn't match any of them." Martin said. "And it's not a Hog-Nosed Pit Viper.
"So, what other viper could it be?" Aviva inquired.
"Wait, the picture shows that the snake is an orange/brown color with some black." Martin said looking at the picture.
"Wait, there's only viper in Central and South America like that." Chris said.
"I think I think what you're thinking." Martin said.
"Who is it?" Aviva asked.
"The Bushmaster." Chris confirmed.
And the big screen brought up a photo of a Bushmaster Viper.
In South American cultures, it's one of the most legendary snakes. A snake only first described some over 200 years ago, and it's a deadly hunter. No one is sure where the name Bushmaster comes from. It's one of many common names.
But towards the end of the 18th Century, the Bushmaster was given it's proper Scientific Name:
Lachesis Muta.
The Silent Fate.
Lachesis is one of the 3 fates, Greek Goddesses, who control the death in humans. Clotho, who is the spinner and wove the thread of human fate. Lachesis, who measured it out, determining the thread of life.
And Atropos, who cut the thread, bringing death.
"Wow, a Bushmaster." Aviva said in awe. "You know, I've actually heard of these as a kid. But, I wasn't sure if they're real."
"Yeah, the Bushmaster is real." Martin confirmed. "And there's 4 species worldwide in Central and South America."
"It's been a dream to see one alive." Chris said.
"Yeah." Martin said.
"Really?" Koki asked.
"Yeah, when me and Martin were kids, we'd always wanted to see a Bushmaster." Chris said. "We've seen pictures of them, read about them in books, even through old textbooks of old Peruvian legends, and saw them on TV Shows and in Nature Documentaries."
"Hey, we're over Peru now." Koki said, looking at her tablet. "And near the edge of the Amazon."
"Well, I guess we have ourselves our new mission." Martin announced. "To find the elusive and legendary Bushmaster."
"Hey, there's a village ahead." Koki looking at her tablet. "Called Cuzco."
"Cuzco?!" Aviva beamed. "I always wanted to go there!"
"Well, a day in Cuzco can't hurt." Chris said.
"I guess, a small supply run should be done as well." Koki said.
Soon, the Tortuga landed in a clearing in the Andes at the source of the Amazon River, and at the ancient city of Cuzco.
As Koki and Jimmy went off for some supplies, Chris, Martin and Aviva went for a look around at other things. And Martin was going through a textbook of Peruvian snakes, and soon found a section on the Bushmaster.
"Okay, here it is." Martin said. "The South American Bushmaster. Scientific Name: Lachesis Muta."
"Lachesis?" Aviva frowned. "Isn't that the name of the Greek Goddess of Death?"
"Yeah." Chris said and looks through a section. "And it says here, the Bushmaster's Scientific name means the "Silent Fate". That must be how it got its name."
Martin nodded. "Yeah, listen to this. "The Bushmaster is the largest venomous snake in the Western Hemisphere. Growing over 10 feet long"."
"Whoa, that's big for a viper." Aviva said, astonished.
"Yeah, but not as heavy as the Eastern Diamondback or Gaboon Viper." Chris said. "And only the Black Mamba and King Cobra grow bigger."
"So that means the Bushmaster is the 3rd biggest venomous snake." Aviva said.
"Yeah, and is armed with 1.5 inch fangs loaded with venom." Martin added. "I have to think of a good name, that suits perfectly for this snake."
"Yeah, of all snakes, the Bushmaster is the ultimate stealth machine." Chris said. "Who knows what we'll come across when we look for it."
"I just hope this isn't a snake that isn't messing around." Martin said.
And Chris, Martin and Aviva continued exploring the ancient city.
Cuzco was found in the 12th Century, and was the capital of the Inca Empire.
Later that day, at night, they were almost getting ready for bed.
And while Jimmy was busy polishing his controller, next to him was an open bag of beef jerky he was snacking on.
While he was busy, he was unaware of something else that was eyeing the bag.
Jimmy was so busy with his controller, that he didn't take notice when the bag was suddenly pulled off the teleporter. And then he heard a munching sound, but shrugged and finished up with his controller.
And then, while he was finishing up. He reaches and feels for the bag on the teleporter, but strangely didn't feel it.
"Huh?" Jimmy frowned and turns and saw it missing. "What?"
And then he heard some chittering and growling, and then turns to Amber and Tyrana with their heads inside the jerky bag.
"Hey!" Jimmy exclaimed. "That's my snack."
Amber and Tyrana then lift their heads out from the bag, and turn to him each with a piece of jerky strip in their mouths. And then swallow them whole.
Jimmy then took the bag back and saw that Amber and Tyrana had quickly nearly devoured the whole thing. Leaving only a few pieces left.
And then Koki entered the room, and Chris, Martin, and Aviva entered after the long day looking around Cuzco.
"What's up, Jimmy?" Koki said. "I thought I heard you complaining."
"Amber and Tyrana almost devoured my bag of jerky." Jimmy said.
Aviva laughed at that. "Maybe you should be careful with meat snacks."
And then they saw Amber and Tyrana at their beds that they got them and Amber curls in hers as she licks her claws and Tyrana lays in hers as she licks her chops.
"Guess Amber and Tyrana found a favorite snack." Martin chuckled.
"Well, good source of protein." Chris said. "Guess that could be one of their favorite treats."
"Well, how 'bout we get some sleep." Koki said.
The next day, Chris, Martin, Aviva, Amber, Tyrana, Skylie, Bumpo, Hornster and Grubby wandered through the Amazon as Koki and Jimmy were in the Tortuga looking for a clearing to land.
And they begin their search for the elusive Bushmaster.
As they wandered, Amber and Tyrana were more than eager to explore this green world. But also keeping within sight of the others, because they could easily get lost among the trees. Skylie, Bumpo, Hornster and Grubby, on the other hand, were rather more cautious and wary, but just as eager to explore this green world as much as their two carnivorous sisters.
Soon, as they move through the underbrush, Amber leaps under a small ridge of tree. And Chris was about to as well, but then stumbled, and then Martin and Aviva bumped into him and he trips over a root and they fell.
But then suddenly a flash of scales suddenly lunges and strikes as they quickly turned and saw what it was.
Hiding in a leaf litter at the tree base was a Fer-De-Lance. And it didn't seem pleased of being disturbed.
"Whoa, that was close." Martin said.
And then the Fer-De-Lance struck at them again.
"Whoa, easy buddy." Martin said with his hand out. "We didn't even know you were there."
The Fer-De-Lance stayed curled up in the leaves ready to strike if needed. And even moves his tail quickly against the leaves to make a rattling sound like that of a rattlesnake.
"Is he rattling at us?" Aviva frowned.
"Actually, shaking his tail against the leaves to make the rattling." Martin stated. "It's almost like a rattlesnake, and they're both relatives."
Amber, Tyrana, Skylie, Bumpo, Hornster and Grubby as well were curiously looking at the Fer-De-Lance, amazed by it, since they've become really interested in snakes and other fellow reptiles like them, but from a safe distance after hearing the rattling. They have learnt from the Wild Kratts to never get too close to any venomous snakes. Even the first strike was enough for them to know not to get too close, even for Amber and Tyrana, who are the bravest and boldest of the 6 dinosaurs. But even so, they still couldn't take any of their eyes off of this extraordinary snake.
"Okay, I think we messed with him enough, already." Chris said.
"Yeah, let's leave him alone." Martin said.
And then they begin to walk away, leaving the Fer-De-Lance alone.
And they continued through the rainforest.
And if they found a Fer-De-Lance, then a Bushmaster couldn't be too far away.
And then soon, Chris got something in his view.
"Wait, something's there." Chris said.
He then kneels down, and picks through some leaves. And he brought in a well-camouflaged Peruvian Horned Frog.
"A Horned Frog." Chris said.
"Very easy why it's called that." Aviva said, looking at its horns.
"Yeah, but the horns are soft." Chris said.
"There's also another name for this frog." Martin said. "He's also called the Pac-Man Frog."
"Pac-Man, like the famous video game?" Aviva said.
"Yeah, he almost looks like him." Martin said. "And hey, that's what I'll call ya! Pac-Frog."
"Good name." Chris said. "Alright, buddy here you go." He said, gently placing him down.
Later that day, Jimmy and Koki had managed to find a clearing for the Tortuga to land in.
And as night approaches, they did some more research on the Bushmaster.
One section said that the Bushmaster is the only viper that lays eggs instead of giving birth to live young. And read that the mother even stays and guards the clutch. But the hatchlings are just as deadly as their mother.
The next day, they came across a False Viper, which is actually a harmless mimic to the Fer-De-Lance.
But just as set him down again, they nearly avoided a falling branch.
Later in the day, as they explored. Chris suddenly spots something close by, and slowly approached it. And then a big-sized frog started hopping off as Chris went after it. And he soon got it.
"What is it?" Martin asked.
"It's a Smoky Jungle Frog!" Chris said coming back with it in his hands. "And a big one."
"Whoa, it's big." Aviva said.
"Yeah, the biggest frog in the Amazon." Chris said. "This guy could tackle birds, mice, rats, even snakes at this size."
And soon, Chris sets the frog down. And they leave.
The next day, they were still searching for the Bushmaster. They know lowland rainforests are good habitat for them, and that's where they are and looking.
And Bushmaster can remain curled and still for weeks at a time.
And then, a cracking sound was heard at the edge of the forest where the Tortuga is. One of the tall trees started tilting, and then started coming down into the forest. And soon hits the forest floor.
And Chris and Martin were near the tree where it landed.
"Holy mackerel." Chris said, completely stunned.
They were lucky to have seen the tree, and got out of the way.
"That was close." Martin said.
"Are you guys okay?" Koki called from Martin's Creaturepod.
"Yeah, it was a close call." Martin said.
And soon, they all came out and had a look at the fallen tree. And as it fell, it tore a huge gap in the canopy above them. And as they looked around, unknown to them or any of the other dinos, Amber noticed something that caught her eye.
And then she quickly went after and dove behind a log as they turned to her. And then a sudden screech was heard as they rushed over to her, and they saw that Amber has caught something, but that something has caught her as well. Biting on her arm, was a Monkey Lizard, a big species of Anole.
"Whoa, Amber found a Monkey Lizard." Martin said, as he grabs hold of her.
And Chris grabs onto the Monkey Lizard, and after a moment, it finally lets go of Amber's arm.
"Huh, he kinda looks like the Anoles in North America." Koki said looking at his appearance.
"Yeah, this is a type of Anole Lizard." Martin said.
"Well, I guess he might've gave Amber a piece of his mind for trying to catch him." Chris said.
Amber growled at the lizard, and Tyrana did the same.
"Okay, off you go." Chris said, gently placing the lizard down.
The next day, they were all out in the forest trying to find a Bushmaster. But they were still having no luck.
For hours, they've searched.
And then, Amber and Tyrana then pick up a scent, and then begin to follow it, and it wasn't long before they start following them.
They followed Amber and Tyrana all the way to a tree with a gap through it.
"I wonder why Amber and Tyrana led us here." Martin said.
"Maybe something's here." Chris said.
They started looking around the tree base, and inside the tree. And then Chris noticed something as he was about to step over a root.
"Guys!" Chris called quietly "Over here!"
They quickly rushed to him, and then right in front of them. Was the biggest venomous snake in the Western Hemisphere.
"A Bushmaster!" They all said in awe unison.
The Bushmaster then turns to them and is curled in the famous S shape to strike.
And at last, they found the Silent Fate.
"He's huge." Chris said.
"Here's a stick." Martin said, grabbing a stick thick enough to hold him.
And Chris carefully lowered the stick down to the Bushmaster, and he slithered onto it. And the snake was longer than they thought.
"Whoa, he must be 9 feet." Chris said.
"Wow, look at him." Martin said. "Master of Stealth in the bush, almost like a spirit. I'll call him... Stealth Master."
"He is amazing." Aviva said. "An actual snake from legend that's real and that I wasn't sure existed as a kid."
"Okay, let's set him down." Chris said gently lowering the snake.
And Stealth Master then turns to them as he flicks his tongue eyeing them. And wisely watching them as if he was a master.
"Wow, this snake is completely amazing." Martin said. "He's bigger than most of the rattlesnakes we see in North America."
They continue watching him in amazement, but, at the same time, were unsure of his expression. But, also at the same time, Stealth Master seemed pretty calm at the moment, and was well-behaved. And so, they were all amazed to finally meet this legendary snake.
This snake is so incredible, that they couldn't resist having a few photos of him.
And soon, they decided it's best to leave Stealth Master be and head out.
Later at night, they were looking at the amazing photos they got of Stealth Master.
"Wow, this is such a legendary snake." Martin said as the photos were on the big screen.
"Yeah, something we'll never forget." Chris said.
Author's Note:
There are now only 3 more chapters to go before moving on to North America.
Next is another viper, then a rattlesnake, and then lastly swimming with sharks.